John Michel
| Sir John Michel | |
|---|---|
Sir John Michel
|
|
| Born |
1 September 1804 Dewlish House, Dorset |
| Died | 23 May 1886 (aged 81) Dewlish House, Dorset |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | 1823–1880 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Commands held |
6th Regiment of Foot Commander of British Troops in China and Hong Kong Commander of the British Troops in Canada Commander-in-Chief of Ireland |
| Battles/wars |
Eighth Xhosa War Crimean War Indian Mutiny Second Opium War Fenian raids |
| Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Order of the Medjidie, Second Class (Ottoman Empire) |
Field Marshal Sir John Michel GCB, PC (1 September 1804 – 23 May 1886) was a British Army officer. He commanded the 6th Regiment of Foot during the Eighth Xhosa War in 1851 and served as Chief of Staff of the British Army's Turkish contingent during the Crimean War in 1854 before transferring to India where he commanded the Malwa Field Force which pursued Tatya Tope in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny. He then commanded the 1st Division at the Battle of Taku Forts in August 1860 during the Second Opium War and took part in the burning of the Old Summer Palace at Peking in October 1860 as a reprisal for the torture and murder of British prisoners before being appointed Commander of British Troops in China and Hong Kong in 1861. He later commanded the forces in British North America playing a key role in the organization of the militia volunteers in resistance to the Fenian raids invasions in 1866. His last appointment was as Commander-in-Chief of Ireland in 1875.
Born the son of Lieutenant-General John Michel and Anne Michel (née Fane), Michel was educated at Eton College and commissioned into the 57th Regiment of Foot on 3 April 1823. He transferred to the 27th Regiment of Foot a few months later, then to the 60th Regiment of Foot on 6 November 1823 and then to the 64th Regiment of Foot in Gibraltar on 24 November 1823. He was promoted to lieutenant on 28 April 1825, to captain in an unattached company on 12 December 1826 and to captain the 64th Foot on 15 February 1827.
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